Self-locking nut.



M. JACOBS.

SELF LOCKING NUT.

AYPLIOATION FILED OUT. 19, 1909. RENEWED AUG.15, 1912. wwm

Pawnteol @013. 28, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Mi JAUOBS.

SELF LOCKING NUT.

APPLICATION FILED OUT. 19, 1909. RENEWED AUG.15, 1912.

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2 SEEETSSHEBT 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT cur os.

MORBIS .moons, on NEW roan, N. Y.

SELF-LOCKING NUT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 28, 1913.

Application filed October 19, 1909, Serial No. 523,450. ltenewed August15, 1912. Serial No. 715,307.

To all whom 62 may concern:

Be it known that I, Monnzs Jaoons, a citizen of the United States,residing at the borough of Brooklyn, city of New York, in the county ofKings and. $tate of New York, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Self-Locking Nuts,of which the following is aspecification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings,forming part thereof.

My invention. relates to means for locking nuts against accidental andunintentional unscrewing, as is liable to occur. with serious results byreason of the vibrations and jars attendant with use, particularly, forexample, in marine service, on vehicles of all kinds, railroadfish-plates, bridges, agricultural machinery and engines.

My invention has among its objects a simple, eifective and inexpensivedevice employing bolts of ordinary construction, adaptability tovariations in size of the bolts, adjustability for wear, non-mutilationof the threads of either the nut or bolt,

' description.

self-tightening when subjected to vibration, whereby nuts are kept in atightened con- .dition and will automatically tighten or screw up ifinadvertently left loose, convement unscrewing when desired withoutinjury to any of the parts, prevention of,

separation and loss of the locking parts, protection of the lockingdevice from the weather, concealment of the locking device so that whenthe nut is on the bolt the ap-' pearance presented is that of anyordinary nut and bolt, and other objects and adv'an-.

tages which will appear from the following My invention employs a springforming a locking member contained in a recess in the nut. In one formof my invention the looking sprin is bent upon itse f so that one partoftie spring reinforces another part thereof. In this form thelockingmember comprisesa locking tongue which projects beyond a reinforcingtongue for the'base' portion of the locking tongue, and an intermediatesecuring portion by which the looking member is more securel held in thenut.

My invention also inclu as a transversely oblong rounded recess providedwith a re-v duced threat, the securing portion of the locking memberbeing con formed lto and fixed in the roundedportionf-b-ftherecess and.the locking tongue projecting through the throat into locking engagementwith the threads of the bolt.

My invention also includes means for adjusting the locking member tocompensate for wear.

'bolt and coacting with the bolt in clamping two objects. together. Fig.2 is a cross-section through the bolt immediately back of the nut asviewed from the. top in Fig. 1. Fig. 2 is a plan view of a backing pinfor the spring locking member. Fig. 2? is a plan view of an adjustingpin adapted to be substituted for the backinopin. Fig. 3 is a detail ofthe locking mem er. Fig. t is a view similar to Fig. 2 of a modifiedconstruction wherein the locking member is duplicated in a diametricallyopposite po sition. Fig. 5 is an elevation of a nut showing anothermodification, wherein the loclc ing member is duplicated at oppositeends of the nut. Fig. 6 is a view similar to Figs. 2 and 4: of a furthermodified construction wherein two locking members of reversedconstruction are employed for locking the nut against movement on thebolt in either direction. Fig. 7 is a plan view of a fiattened'rotatable key for unlocking the locking members. Fig. 8 is an edgeview of the same. Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 2 of a modificationin which the. locking member is not reinforced. Fig.- 10 is an elevationof the nut shown in Fig. 9 as viewed from;tl1e bottom, the bolt beingremoved. Fig. 11 is aplan view similar to Fig. 9 showing a'modificationin which the locking'member is of a width only sufiicient toengage oneof the threads of the bolt. Fig. 12 1s a View similar to'Fig. 10 of whatis shown" in Fig. 11 and shows. the locking member in dotted 'lines. Fig.- 13 is aview similar to Fig. '9 and shows a locking memberconstructed of-wire. Figtla is-a'view similar to Fig. 13 showing amodification a modification wherein a single double-acting lockingmember is employed for locking the nut against movement on the bolt ineither direction. Fig. 16 is a central horizontal section of Fig. 15looking upward, the bolt being omitted to expose the double-actinglocking member.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of thedrawings, an ordinary bolt 1 has screwed thereon a self-locking nut 2,provided with a spring locking member 3 contained in an oblong recess 4extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the bolt 1 andcommunicating with the bolt-receiving aperture in the nut, but notextending to the periphery of the nut, and shown as formed in the backface or inner face of the nut 2. The recess closing walls, as shown inthe drawings, and

- is provided with a reduced portion or throat 25. ribbon of resilientsheet metal.

5 forming the communication with the boltreceiving aperture in the nut.The spring locking'member 3 is a leaf spring and may be convenientlyformed from a strip or The spring locking member 3 comprises asubstantially straight locking tongue a, a reinforcing tongue I; and anintermediate securing portion a, curved to conform .to the roundedcontour of the walls of the oblong rounded portion of the recess 4. Thespring locking member is bent upon itself and forms substantially aclosed loop, the locking tongue a and thereinforcing tongue I) beingshown as extending oppositely into contact one with the other, the basesof these tongues being integrally united by the intermediate securingportion a and the locking tongue projecting at its free end beyond thereinforcing tongue, the end of which is turned' within the lockingtongue. The respective tongues are united to the intermediate portion bygradual curves, as shown in the drawings. The spring action of thelocking member '3 would, under ordinary circumstances, retain it in therecess 4, but as an additional safeguard against loss of the lockingmember when the nut is tossed about or otherwise roughly handled, themetal of the nut is upset at 6 against the middle securing portion ofthe locking member, thereby avoiding any possibility of loss of thelocking member.

and at its forward side is reinforced and strengthened by thereinforcing tongue 6, which also assists in pressing the locking tonguea into firmer locking engagement with the threads of the bolt 1. Becauseof the resiliency of the locking member and its constant contact withthe threads of the bolt, a firm lock of the nut will at'all times bemaintained and no backward movement of. the nut 2 can take place. On thecontrary, the jars and vibrations of use will keep -the nut tight andwill tighten it if left loose. The somewhat irregular oblong shape ofthe recess 4 securely holds the locking-member, and the curved contourof the locking member 3 and the absence of any sharp corners or angularbends augments its springing action and obviates breakage. The resilientnature of the bolt 1, whether the nut 2 fits tightly or loosely on thebolt 1. This is a. very important advantage because of the variations inthe actual dimensions of the threaded portions of bolts and nutssupposed to be of the same size as found on the market.

Means are provided for taking up wear of the ,locking end ofv thelocking tongue a of the locking member 3. A hole 36 is provided back ofthe securing portion a and near to the base of the locking tongue a andreceives a backing pin 37, which is driven therein in contact with thespring member 3, the hole 36 being of larger diameter than the backingpin 37 and cutting into the rec'ess 4, the backing pin 37 coacting withthe walls of the recess in supporting the locking member 3. When thelocking end of the locking tongue (1 becomes worn so as not to portionof the securing portion a away from the back wall of the recess -andthereby compel the locking tonguea to project farther from the throat 5and bring such worn tongue again into firm locking engagement with thescrew threads of the bolt 1, the ad- 55 The locking tongue a projectsthrough the 'justing pin 38 being shown as tapered at one throat 5 at alocking angle and resiliently end to facilitate the starting of such pininto engages the threads of the bolt 1, the angle the hole 36. ofengagement being such as to permit free When it is desired to unscrewthe nut 2, it rotation of the nut 2 in a direction indicated isnecessary to hold the locking tongue a 60 by the arrow 35 (Fig. 2), andto form alockout of contact with the threads of the bolt 1. ingengagement withthe threads of the bolt For this purpose. two small holes7 and v 8 and prevent rotation of the nut in the oppo- 1 are provi ed,hole '7 being in the side of the site direction. '-The locking tongue ais nut and enteringthe recess 4 back of the shown as serrated or notchedat its end to locking, tongue a, and the hole; 8 extending 66 make afirmer locking engagement with the substantially parallel with thelongitudinal WWWlWWWWMmuImmuuunMWnHmllmuwhuMMlWlllWMuuHlummmam.....

' of the wall of the recess 4 back of the 'lockreversely arranged springlocking'members' relatiyely reversed end to end and side to- .nutand-the bolt.

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axis of the bolt land taking away a portion ing tongue a of less depththan the diameter of the hole 8. Either of these holes may be I usedaccording towhich is accessible or most convenient, depending upon thelocation or cure from injury and tampering, and by its.

locationat the back of the nut is well protected from moisture andliability to rust.

1n the modification illustrated in Fig. 1,.

duplicate spring locking members 3 are provided and located indiametrically'opposite duplicate recesses 10 in a nut 11, the lockingmembers 3 being duplicates! each of the other and also being duplicatesof. the locking members shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. With the exceptiomofthe duplication of locking members, the construction of Fig. 4: isidentical with that of Figs. 1 and 2. In some situations a plurality oflocking membersin a single nut may be desirable for the.

purpose strength.

In the modification illustrated in Fig. 5, spring locking members 3 areduplicated at opposite end faces of a nut 12, that is, in a directionlongitudinal to the axis of the A hole 13, corresponding to the hole 8of Figs. 1 and 2, is pro vided substantially parallel with theboltreceiving aperture of the nut and in which the rotatable key 9 maybe inserted to effect a simultaneous unlocking of the locking members 3,no side holes corresponding to hole 7 of Figs. 1 and2 being provided inthe nut. 12. A With the exceptions noted, the construction and operationare the same as described in reference to Figs. 1 and-2.

111 the modification illustrated in Fig. 6,

of' securing increased locking 3 are located in diametrically oppositereversely formed recesses 14 in a nut 15. The two spring locking members3 are identical with those hereinbefo-re described, but are side, sothat'one. of the members in the nut 15-1ocks thisnut against rotation inone direction andthe otherlocking 'member' 3 looks suchnutagainsttrotation inthe opposite direction. In some situations of use itis desirable to lock the nut against move ment on the screw threads oithe bolt in justed, the spring locking members may, be

released by releasing keys inserted through the side holes 16 or endholes 17 in the nut 15. Adjustment of the nut to different p0 sitionsonthe bolt may cause wear of the locking members and compensation may bemade for such wear by substituting the adjusting pin 38 for the backingpin 37, as explained in reference to Figs. 1 and 2.

The modification illustrated in Figs. 9 and. 1-0 difiers chiefly fromthe construction described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 in that thelocking member is not reinforced, that is to say, the reinforcing tongue'is omitted.- Such locking member 18 comprises a substantially straightresilient locking tongue (1 and a bent securing portion (2, which isshown as turned in a reverse directien. The locking member 18 is made ofa bent ribbon of metal similar to that em ployed in making the lockingmembers 3 hereinbefore described, but the locking member 18 is eat adifferent shape from the reinforced locking members 3 andis contained ina correspondingly shaped'recess 19 formed in a nut 20. The metal of thenut is upset at 21 against the securingportion 6 to securely hold thelocking member 18 int-he recess 19. The locking tongued is adapted tohave locking engagement with the screw threads of the ordinary bolt 1 insubstantially a similar manner to the locking tongue a of the lockingmember 3.

In the modification illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12, a spring lockingmember 22 of the non-reinforced type 'is employed and this constructionis distinguished chiefly by the fact that the locking member is of less.width than those hereinbefore described and of a width sufficient toengage one thread only of the bolt 1, the narrow width of the lockingmember 22 being indicated in dotted lines in Fig.-12. The locking member22 is i of somewhat different shape from the locki'ng member 18 of Figs.9 and 10 and iscontained in a recess 23 of corresponding shape formed inthe nut 2 1. The locking member 22 comprises a substantially straightresilient tongue f, and a bent securing shank 9, over which the metal ofthe nut is upset. at

25. A longitudinalaperture 26 isiprov-idcd for the insertion of arotatable releasing key, such as 9 (Figs. 7 and 8), for pushing thelocking tongue fto' unlocked position.

The modification illustrated in Fig; 13 1 differs chiefly from thosedescribed in reference toFigsLfl to 12, inclusive, in that the springlocking'memb'eris formed of cylindrical wire. This locking member 27 isbent to about the same shape as the locking mem, ber 18' (Fig. 9) andthe end of thelocking member which engagesthescrew threads of 'theboltis pointed, as shown. i In the modification'shoWninFig. 14; a

wire locking member 28 is provided of a shape substantially similar tothat of the fla;;tened locking member 22 (Figs. 11 and 12 In themodification illustrated in Figs. 15 and 16, a construction is shown inwhich a single spring locking member 29 is adapted to look a nut 30against rotation in either direction on the ordinary bolt 1.

In this respect the single locking member 29 per forms the function ofthe two reversely arranged locking members shown in Fig. 6.

1 ing tongues h are braced by the walls of the recess 31 and theopposite inclinations of these tongues, combined with their resilientaction, effectively locks the nut against movement in either direction.Side holes 33 are provided in the nut for the insertion of releasingimplements and also longitudinal holes 34 are provided for the use ofrotatable keys, such as 9 ofFigs. 7 and 8. Adj ustment to compensate forwear of the locking tongues it may be effected by removing the backingpins 37 and driving larger adjusting pins such as 38 into holes 39 backof the free portions of the retaining portion 1' of the double-actingspring locking mem-' ber 29.

All of the several kinds of locking members, except, of course, thosewhich lock in both directions, are of the self-tightening variety, thatis, when subjected to vibrations they tend to keep the nut tight and totighten it if loose. However, if desired, the self-tightening functionmay be dispensed with by giving a strong tension to the spring lockingmember.

With all of the spring locking members the self-adjustment due to theirspringing action enables the self-locking nuts to be effectively used,whether the nuts fit tightly or loosely on the bolts, no exactness offit of nut and bolt being required for the successful operation of thelocking devices. This fact is of material advantage as enabling the useof ordinary inexpensive stock bolts, which are not exact and accurate asto diameter in their threaded portions, and which could-not be reliablyused unless the locking device contained this compensating feature.

The manufacture is very inexpensive. The recesses at the faces of thenuts may be indented therein at the time of the stamping out of the nutblanks and the small holes may be readily drilled.

It is obvious that various modifications may be made in theconstructions shown and above particularly described within theprinciple and scope of my invention.

I claim:

1. An integral locking member for screwthreaded nuts comprising alocking tongue adapted to engage the threads of a bolt, and areinforcing tongue adapted to engage the base portion only of the lockintongue, the locking tongue projecting a siistantial distance beyond thereinforcing tongue.

2.- A locking member for screw-threaded nuts comprising a lockingtongue, a reinforcing tongue extending in an opposite direction to thelocking tongue contiguous thereto, and an intermediate portion 'ting thebases of the said tongues.

3. The combination with a screw-threaded bolt, of -a screw-threaded nuthavin provided therein a recess having an en arged transversely oblongrounded portion with continuously curved side walls throughout, suchrecess also having a reduced throat portion forming a communicationbetween the rounded oblong portion of the recess and the bolt receivingaperture of the nut, and a spring locking member having a securingportion conformed to the roundedcontour of the side walls of the oblongrounded portion of the recess and following the contour of such sidewalls substantially throughout the length of such side walls and fixedin place in the recess,'the locking member also hav-- ing an end portionprojecting through the throat of the recess and forming a spring lockingtongue adapted to have lockin engagement with the screw threads 0 bolt.

4. The combination, with a screw-threaded bolt, of a screw-threaded nuthaving.

MORRIS JACOBS.

Witnesses:

WM. ASHLEY KELLY, BERNARD CownN.

